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Mr Leonard pleaded guilty on behalf of the company to fly-posting when he appeared at Beverley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, February 21. The firm was fined £1,000 and was ordered to pay £763.50 costs.

The court heard street scene enforcement officers from East Riding Council spotted the signs advertising the Christmas fair had been placed on roadside verges at various major junctions and roundabouts across the area.

Mr Leonard said: “The big point is that they are trying to penalise someone who is employing local people, attracting customers and attracting exhibiting businesses to the area.

“If they try to put me out of business then there are a lot of other people who will struggle as a result. It’s a fair chunk of money for anybody.

“I’m based here but it was the first event I was really doing in the area. Initially I thought, ‘I’m not doing another’ but actually, the reception was fantastic so will be doing the event again November.

“We probably do around 30 similar events a year and never had a problem before.

Another roadside sign removed by East Riding council

“By the letter of the law I had done wrong. I tried everything I could do to right the situation. I was at a show in Hertfordshire so told them I couldn’t immediately do it myself, but got a lad to collect them but didn’t know where they all were.”

Mr Leonard says the fair will be taking place from November 10 to November 12 later this year.